A word or two, if you don't mind, about the torture flap now playing out on Capitol Hill and in Langley, Virginia, where the CIA lives.

In a riveting interview conducted by Brian Ross of ABC News, one of the CIA men involved in the waterboarding of 9/11 conspirator Abu Zubaydah revealed several compelling facts.

One: The entire torture flap involves three people who were subjected to harsh interrogation techniques for a grand total of less than three minutes. Call it torture if you want, but it was quick and there were darn few people subjected to it.

Two: Each procedure from slapping to waterboarding was specifically approved by Washington, and those people applying these techniques were restrained from approaching anything any sane person might consider too far or too much.

Third: Many of the people who are screaming bloody murder about it now and wanting investigations were advised what was happening and either approved or acquiesced.

Lastly: Call it torture if you want, but the waterboarding worked. Information gained from this procedure checked out.

Now, why did the CIA destroy the tapes? Well here's a couple good reasons.

First, it is now crystal clear that there are people in the CIA who would have released or leaked these tapes as soon as they got a chance. There's no telling what would happen to Americans around the world as soon as these images were shown 24/7 around the world.

Second, who says that a tape shouldn't be destroyed? It was made for purposes of determining what happened to the person getting this treatment, what information he gave up, and whether the information was true.

Fine, you need the tape for that. But afterwards, why save an image if it's only value is another leaked defamation of America on the front page of The New York Times?

That's My Word.

Watch John Gibson weekdays at 5 p.m. ET on "The Big Story with John Gibson and Heather Nauert" and send your comments to:myword@foxnews.com